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Macau SAR
Country Specific Information
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February 11, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Macau, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC) since December 20, 1999, has a high
degree of autonomy, except in the areas of defense and foreign policy. Macau retains its own currency, laws, and border controls.
With a population of approximately 543,000, Macau covers a 29.2 square-kilometer area including the peninsula of Macau, which
is connected to the PRC, and the two islands of Taipa and Coloane. Gambling and tourism are the largest sectors in Macau's
economy. Facilities for tourism are well developed. See the Department of State Background Notes on Macau for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport valid for 30 days beyond the intended period of stay in Macau is required. A visa is not required for tourist
visits of up to 30 days.
Because many neighboring areas require six months validity remaining on the passport, U.S. citizens planning travel beyond
Macau should ensure that their passports are valid for at least six months from the date of their proposed entry into such
areas.
Holders of a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or a Hong Kong Re-entry Permit may use either document to enter Macau for a maximum stay of up to one year. All visitors must present their passport or other valid travel document upon arrival. Visit the Macau Government Tourist Office web site at http://www.macautourism.gov.mo/en/index.php for the most current visa information.
U.S. citizens should obtain all required visas prior to departing the United States. Specifically, U.S. citizens wishing to travel to the PRC from Macau require a PRC visa and should apply at the PRC embassy or consulate where they reside. Visas to the PRC can in some cases be obtained at the PRC Visa Office in Macau; however, there are limitations depending on the visa category, and if issued, they are often of a shorter length of stay and fewer entries than are those obtained in the United States. Parents whose children hold U.S. passports should be aware that the PRC Visa Office may require original birth certificates or other documentation for these children. Persons applying in Macau for PRC visas for U.S.-born children have been unable to obtain PRC visas without the certified U.S. birth certificate. Parents should consider bringing their children’s birth certificates if applying for a PRC visa in Macau. Further information on travel to and around the PRC is available in the China Consular Information Sheet.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Although there have been no terrorist incidents in Macau, the Department of State reminds Americans everywhere that U.S.
citizens and interests are at a heightened risk of attack by terrorists. These individuals and groups have proven that they
do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Because security awareness has been elevated within the United
States, terrorists may target U.S. interests overseas. Private Americans should be aware of the potential risks when making
travel plans and should remain vigilant with regard to their personal security and exercise caution. The State Department
will continue to develop information about potential threats.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site , where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Petty street crime, including pick-pocketing, occasionally occurs in tourist areas in Macau, including in and around casinos and at the airport. Travelers should take caution with their personal belongings and travel documents at all times.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds can be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Macau is 999. In addition, tourists can dial 112 to report crimes directly related to travel, such as petty theft.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than those in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Macau’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession of, use of, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Macau are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
Currency: There are no currency restrictions for tourists in Macau. Although the pataca is the official currency in Macau, Hong Kong currency is commonly used and widely accepted in transactions, especially in tourist areas. Travelers visiting Macau from Hong Kong may wish to bring sufficient Hong Kong dollars to cover their expenses. Credit cards and ATM network debit cards are widely accepted in Macau. Banks and major hotels accept traveler's checks.
Customs Regulations: Macau customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Macau of items such as firearms, ivory, certain categories of medications, and other goods. Please see the Macau Customs Service web site for further information.
Visitors to Macau should be aware that the importation into the United States of counterfeit brand-name items, such as watches, compact discs, computer software, and clothing, is prohibited by U.S. law.
Please see our Customs Information sheet.
Dual Nationality: Under the nationality law of the PRC, persons of Chinese descent who were born in the PRC, including Macau, are PRC citizens. However, under an agreement between the United States and the People's Republic of China, all U.S. citizens entering Macau on their U.S. passports, including such persons as may be considered PRC nationals by the PRC authorities, are considered to be U.S. citizens by the Macau SAR authorities for purposes of ensuring U.S. consular access and protection during their initial legal stay of up to 30 days in Macau.
Dual national residents or former residents of Macau who wish to ensure U.S. consular access and protection after the initial 30-day period of visa-free admission into Macau should declare their U.S. nationality to the Macau Immigration Department upon arrival. Dual-national residents of Macau who enter Macau on travel documents other than their U.S. passports and who desire U.S. consular protection should declare their U.S. nationality as soon as possible after entry. This “declaration of change of nationality” will ensure U.S. consular protection. It may also result in loss of one's PRC nationality (but not necessarily one's right of abode). Whereas failure to declare U.S. nationality may jeopardize U.S. consular protection, such failure will not jeopardize one's U.S. citizenship.
Dual nationals contemplating onward travel into mainland China should be attentive to use of their U.S. passports. Dual nationals who enter or depart mainland China using a U.S. passport and a valid PRC visa retain the right of U.S. consular access and protection under the U.S.-PRC Consular Convention. The ability of the U.S. Embassy or consulates general to provide normal consular services would be extremely limited should a dual national enter mainland China on a Macau SAR or other non-U.S. passport.
In addition to being subject to all Macau SAR laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may be subject to laws of Macau that impose special obligations on Macau citizens. For further information on consular protection and dual nationality, please refer to our information on dual nationality.
Language: The official languages in the Macau SAR are Chinese and Portuguese; however, English is spoken in tourist areas.
Typhoons: During the storm season (July through September), the Macao Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau issues typhoon warnings on an average of six times a year. The Bureau has a good notification and monitoring system in place. Please consult the Macau Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau for further information. General information about natural disaster preparedness is from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Several major hospitals in Macau have adequate medical facilities, and Kiang Wu and Conde de Sao Januario hospitals are able to provide emergency medical care. The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong web site maintains a list of medical providers in Macau. Highly developed medical facilities and trained personnel are available in Hong Kong, which is about an hour by jetfoil and 10 minutes by helicopter from Macau.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Macau.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
The H5N1 virus, a form of avian influenza, has been found in poultry and wild birds in Macau. While rare, human infection
and deaths from H5N1 have been reported worldwide. Most reported cases of human infection with H5N1 viruses have occurred
after contact with H5N1-infected poultry or birds. Further information about avian influenza and about preparing for a possible
influenza pandemic is available from our Avian Flu Fact Sheet, from the U.S. avian/pandemic flu web site and from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Macau is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Traffic moves on the left in Macau and roads are narrow and winding. Traffic is generally congested throughout the day. Most visitors to Macau choose not to drive. Taxis are inexpensive and plentiful by the airport, ferry terminal, and gaming venues. Public buses are also inexpensive and frequent but may be difficult to find outside major tourist areas.
For specific information concerning Macau driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Public Security Police Force at telephone (853) 2837 4214; fax (853) 2852 3407; email info@fsm.gov.mo or the Macau Transport Department , Ave Sidonio Pais, Macau; telephone (853) 374-214; fax (853) 522-966. (Please note: This web site is available only in Chinese and Portuguese.)
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Macau, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Macau’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa .
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Macau are encouraged to register with the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Macau. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.
There is no U.S. diplomatic or consular presence in Macau. Consular assistance for U.S. citizens is provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong, 24-hour telephone number (852) 2523-9011. Direct lines to American Citizen Services during regular business hours are (852) 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225, fax (852) 2845-4845; e-mail acshk@state.gov. The U.S. mailing address is PSC 461, Box 5, FPO, AP 96521-0006. Please check the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong web site for current office hours.
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This replaces the Specific Information for Macau dated October 16, 2008, without substantive changes.
